He glanced at her. It was worth a try. “Would you like to lean your head against my shoulder and snooze for a while?”
“No, thank you.” She turned from gazing out the window. “It’s not much farther. I shall be fine.”
She sounded tired. He wished he could see her face. If she started to slump down, he’d hold her. Just then they turned into the Littlewood gates. He’d lost his chance this time. “Littleton, you’re home.”
He sat up abruptly and rubbed his face. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on the two of you.”
“It was no problem at all.” Georgie yawned again. “The silence was peaceful.”
Gavin had to think about what she’d said. He had been so engrossed in wanting to cuddle her he’d not considered it. But she was right. The silence had been . . . comfortable. That was another thing he appreciated about her—although he hadn’t realized it until tonight—she did not feel the need to fill the air with mindless chatter.
The coach came to a stop, and he jumped out and let the steps down. Littleton came out next then turned to gather Adeline in his arms. Gavin helped Georgie down. “Do you still want to ride in the morning?”
“Yes.” She opened her eyes wider. “Goodness, I am so tired, and it cannot be midnight yet. How do we go on in Town?”
He brushed the back of his knuckles across her cheek. “I think it’s the country air and the slower pace.”
He thought for a moment she would lean into his caress, but she did not. “I shall see you in the morning. If I’m not down when you arrive, have them send for me.”
“Why don’t we plan to go after breakfast?”
“That might be a good idea.” She removed her hand from his arm. “Until then.”
When he arrived at The Lilacs, he was informed that the ladies were still out. “Where did they go?”
“To visit a friend, I believe,” the butler said. “Would you like anything to eat or some tea before you retire?”
“No, thank you. I am for my couch.”
“Very good, my lord. Have a good night.”
His valet was in the dressing room when he strolled into his apartments and started removing his cravat. The second it hit the back of a chair, Ardley came out. How he could hear that, Gavin had no idea.
“I trust you had a pleasant evening, my lord.” The valet removed his jacket, frowned at the way he toed his shoes off, and began picking up the items of clothing Gavin tossed to him.
“It was pleasant.” But that was about all it was. He’d have to find a way to sit next to Georgie at dinner. When was the next dinner? Damn. He had no idea of the events they were scheduled to attend. “Don’t wake me in the morning. I feel as if I’ve attended an event in Town.”
“Very well.” Ardley took the discarded clothing to the dressing room.
Gavin stretched before walking over to the bed. He knew he’d dream about Georgie tonight and did not want any of it interrupted. Throwing back the sheets, he climbed into bed and shivered for a moment. One day, he’d learn to wait until his valet had run the warming pan between the sheets. On the other hand, it was just as well they were cold. He’d walked around half the evening with the beginnings of an erection. How much more time did he have to give her before he could start showing her that how he felt was as good as being in love? It was even better. He’d seen couples fall out of love and that created major problems. If a man and woman were already friends, and they had passion, then they had everything they needed, and wouldn’t have to worry about falling out of love.
I am an idiot.
That was exactly the argument to use with her. The only problem was how soon he could make it. Perhaps the ladies would know. They had seemed receptive to his decision not to fall in love. Surely they’d help him.
The cold sheets had not worked after all. He dreamed she was in his bed, under him, over him, kissing him everywhere, and awoke with a massive erection. He’d have to do something soon.
Chapter Fifteen
Georgie trudged up the steps to her rooms. It had been all she could do not to lean against Turley as Adeline had done with Frits. Yet that would not have helped her cause. If Turley wanted to marry her, he had to love her or admit he loved her. Georgie really could not accept anything else.
She entered her chamber and stood as Smith undressed her and put Georgie into her nightgown.
It was all very confusing. He was doing everything she had seen her brother and his friends do with their wives. He’d kept glancing at her during dinner. Of course she had sneaked looks at him, but she made sure that he hadn’t seen her. He had come and stood next to her as soon as the gentlemen entered the drawing room, acting as if he dared any other man to approach—none of them did. And at the end of the evening, he had handed her into and out of the coach.
She sat and could have moaned with pleasure when her maid released her hair from its elaborate design and began to brush it. She had been so excited when she was first allowed to put it up. Now she wished she could wear it down at times. Ah, well. People often sought what they could not have. Children wished to grow up. Older people wished for youth. The poor wanted wealth, and the wealthy . . . She frowned. They still wanted wealth, but many of them did not want the responsibility and duties that came with it. If only she could be happy with a gentleman who would care for her and give her the life she wanted. But she could not. She wanted more, and one way or another she’d have it. Georgie felt as if she was going in circles.
One of the house party entertainments was to visit a local village fair. Perhaps a fortune-teller would be there, and she could have that woman tell her what her future held.
